Rundown: Sergio Romo was one of the breakout stars in San Francisco's title run last year. The pitcher went 1-0 with a sparkling 0.84 ERA in 10 playoff games, collecting four saves in four opportunities. Now he begins the season as the closer, and it remains to be seen if he can handle the challenges of the role over the whole year. The Giants may not need as many saves with their lineup largely in place from the end of last season. Steady second baseman Marco Scutaro and outfielder Hunter Pence each came over in trades during San Francisco's run to the division title.

Rundown: The Dodgers' feel-good spring was stymied by a double dose of bad news. First, Zack Greinke was diagnosed with inflammation in the back of his right elbow. Then shortstop Hanley Ramirez hurt his right thumb in the World Baseball Classic and was expected to be sidelined for eight weeks. Greinke seemed to be fine after a short rest, but the problem with Ramirez will linger into the season. Dee Gordon or Luis Cruz could be at shortstop on opening day.

Rundown: One of the most uplifting scenes this spring was Brandon McCarthy back on the mound for the first time since he was struck by a liner up the middle last September. The 6-foot-7 right-hander sustained an epidural hemorrhage, brain contusion and skull fracture in the freak accident, then left Oakland for a free-agent deal with Arizona. He joins a strong rotation fronted by 15-game winner Ian Kennedy. The focus with the Diamondbacks is on the lineup, which is missing Justin Upton's potent bat after being traded to Atlanta.

Rundown: Colorado is pinning its hopes on a pair of shortstops, current and former. The most important one is Troy Tulowitzki, who was didn't play a whole lot in 2012 while being limited to 47 games due to a groin injury that required surgery. Weiss became the manager in November, replacing Jim Tracy. He served as the Rockies' shortstop from 1994-97 before wrapping up his 14-year big league career with three years in Atlanta. He inherits a club coming off a franchise-worst 64-98 season and a last-place finish in the NL West.

Rundown: Former Mission Chase Headley appears to be the latest star on the road out of San Diego. The third baseman had a career year last season, finishing with a .286 batting average, 31 homers and 115 RBIs. He avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to an $8,575,000, one-year contract, but there is no indication that a long-term contract is coming. He is recovering from a broken left thumb that is expected to sideline him for the first two weeks of the season.